Ouahabi: Playing in Manchester derbies is always a privilege | OneFootball

Leila Ouahabi says it’s always a special feeling to play in showpiece fixtures such as the Manchester derby.

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City travel to Old Trafford on Saturday 28 March for a 13:30 (UK) kick-off in the Barclays Women’s Super League.

It’s a battle between the WSL’s top two with just four matches left of the campaign, and Ouahabi is no stranger to big occasions such as these having also spent much of her career with FC Barcelona.

Nonetheless, despite her wealth of experience at the top of the game, our Spain international insists the feeling of playing in matches of this magnitude never gets old.

“For me, personally, they are privileged games,” she said.

“They are different and special games, because always derby games are special atmospheres.

“The battles, second balls and everything are more intense as well as the fans and the atmosphere.

“They are special games and it’s a privilege to play these, because when you are at these types of clubs, you have the privilege to play these types of games. Not everyone can say that.

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“That’s why, for me, they are a privilege and special games.”

Despite the excitement surrounding Saturday’s showdown at Old Trafford, Ouahabi also highlighted the importance of blocking out the external noise that these games can create.

Our defender was a key figure in the Blues’ 3-0 win over United at the Etihad Stadium in November 2025, with Andrée Jeglertz’s side stepping up to the occasion with aplomb.

And she says the knack of focusing solely on the game itself – a key asset in games like the derby – is a skill that’s developed overtime.

She added: “It’s about adapting to these types of games. I can understand if it’s your first or second game, I can understand if you are more nervous.

“But, when the games starts, it’s about keeping focused on the game and in the action.

“Just be focused about what is happening in the game, not what’s happening around. Every second is important, so I can understand maybe for new players or young players it can be a bit new and different.

“But when you have experience you know when the game starts you have to be focused because every second is important.”